RETRIEVING AUSTRALIA FORUM

by **Amand Golle** » Tue 07 Sep 2010 5:59 pm

Hi Everyone
The 41st National Retrieving Championship have been run and won. Overall an excellent eventsof which everyone involved should be gratified and proud. We in Queensland pride ourselves in making available a trial site with no home ground advantage. Once again this property has not been used by anyone prior to these events for retrieving competition or training of retrievers. Due to prior rains we needed to rearrange initial plans of how to use the terrain. This all added to enhancing runs which Judges were able to set according to access to various areas on the property, furthermore due to overnight further rain on Saturday night of the National, further adjustments were necessary and of course our very competent Judges were up to the task with the assistance of a very competent and accommodating property manager - David Blackwood and of course our tremendous team of workers, who to the man and woman once again came to the fore in support and assistance.

The triallers in both events were extremely co operative and showed their sportsmanship and good will towards each other and our sport.

We should all appreciate that this wonderful National sport functions by the effort of individuals who give up their time voluntarily and enthusiastically and from time to time things are not always with perfect success. Please consider this fact when things don't turn out exactly as intended before negative comments are directed at any of our great people.

This is my sign off on these events in our much loved Queensland. Thank you very much to every individual who contributed in any way to both great events. A special accolades to the QRAFT committee one and all who worked tirelessly to make this happen.

Forthcoming will be the Judges critiques which should make for interesting reading.

Those who wish to follow further publication of these events, on Thursday 9th September the Qld Country Life Newspaper will have a coverage publication of the National and shortly after the very good shooters journal Feathers and Fur are also planning to report this great event.

Until we communicate again.
Cheers and Good Luck Everyone.
Amand
Promotions Manager

by **Garrick Bridges** » Wed 08 Sep 2010 9:44 am

Congratulations Jack, Christine, Fern and Tsu. What a fantastic achievement.

Garrick

by **Georgina Golle** » Sat 11 Sep 2010 10:22 am

HYDROBATH RAFFLE - FUNDRAISER FOR THE 41st NATIONAL

Drawn on Sunday 5th September at the National Trophy Presentations by Mrs Laurel Blackwood from Ballandean Station, where the Championships were conducted.

Ticket No. 0144
Winner - Moira & Fly from Currumbin Waters (Gold Coast Qld)

Thank you to one and all who bought tickets in this raffle, raising much needed funds to conduct the National.

Regards,
Georgina

by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 2:49 pm

“The Eukanuba”
2010 Queensland Retrieving Championship

Trial Managers: Mrs. Georgina Golle & Mr. Elio Colasimone
Trial Secretary: Mrs. Anne Latimer Chief Steward: Mr. Joe Barber
Property Nominee: Mr. Amand Golle

Saturday, 28th and Sunday 29th August 2010 – Venue: BALLANDEAN
Judges: Amand Gollé (Qld) and Allan Bartram (W.A.)

Judge’s Report – A. Golle (Runs 2, 4, 6)
The Qld Retrieving Championship of 2010 was certainly very well contested as a lead up to the 41st National Championship, with a field of 42 starters from far and wide and representing some of the best retrieving dogs in the land. I had the pleasure of adjudicating some excellent and exciting Gundog work.

The venue at Ballandean Station, which enjoyed considerable recent rains allowed Allan Bartram and I to set tests befitting a Championship and relevant to our simulated sport, as in hunting.
My sincere thanks to the following people who assisted and supported me right throughout this event, not only during competition but leading up to the actual competition, without this great support nothing much can be achieved, Emma Simon, Anne Latimer, Joe Barber, Daryl O’Mahoney, John Flynn, Peter Sharp, Di Rapson, were my principal workers with several other people who stepped forward as required, last but not least my “Champion” Georgina.

My runs were as follows:-
Run 2: Double Mark using the natural undulation of land, first bird cast from right to left into a depression in the creek at approx 45mtr, second bird from right to left at approx 135 mtrs. This is the first pick up across the narrow creek and through fairly heavy grass cover to the fall which was in another narrow channel which was predominantly dry. Second bird in the depression required the dog to work out of sight in order to locate the game. The competitors handled this run reasonably well, however, the top scoring dog was a joy to watch scoring 60 points in very good style – RTCH. ALTIQUIN GLORY UD ADM JDM (Imp IRE), (Maggie Hankinson from WA).

Run 4: This run consisted of a

ouble Rise” and a “Two-Bird” in the narrow creek at approx 140 mtrs, the bird was cast from left to right, landing behind spindly bushes. The “Double Rise” bird was hand thrown into similar terrain and the “Two Bird” was cast from right to left once the dog was returning with the “Double Rise” bird. We experienced various anomalies due to the windy conditions which was testing our patience at times and as a result we failed to process all the dogs as intended on the first day.
Despite these difficulties and with the tremendous work ethic of my crew, we witnessed some very “gutsy” work from several dogs, however the top scoring dog came from the five competitors who came back on the second day, being Sunday morning. These dogs absolutely excelled in this test and the top score being 60 points awarded to LOWTHER HIGHLAND MOLLY RRD, (Di Lynch from Qld).

Run 6, the final run of this Championship consisted of a Triple Retrieve on a picturesque lagoon at Ballandean Estate Wines. Those who were spectators were overlooking from a dam wall and had a grant stand view.
In order of pick up the handler left the dog behind a mound and walked to a designated peg and shot at a blind across the water way in reeds, then relocated, called the dog and proceeded to a further firing point, from which at the report of the gun a rabbit was dragged so that the dog registered that movement. A mark was cast from left to right landing on the far bank of the water way.
The order of pick up was the Mark at approx 110 mtrs, the blind at approx 90 mtrs and the “Wounded Rabbit” at approx 55 mtrs. The 14 dogs left in competition tackled this triple retrieve with exemplary style and displayed the sagacity required to negotiate the terrain. The top scoring dog on this final retrieve, on 57 points was Nat & Gr RTCH. KADNOOK PRIDE OV CORK CM, (Gareth Tawton from Vic), the eventual Winner, of this Championship.
Finally I wish to congratulate each and everyone who entered this event for their enthusiasm and good sportsmanship.
It was my pleasure to be part of our organization conducting this State Championship.
Amand Gollé

Judge’s Report – A. Bartram (Runs 1, 3, 5)
It was an honour and pleasure to be invited to judge the 2010 Queensland Retrieving Trial Championship in conjunction with Mr Amand Golle.
The area of Ballandean Station allocated to us for our first four runs was teaming with wildlife, wild deer, feral pigs, wood duck, snipe and brown quail were all seen in the locale. Recent wet weather meant the paddocks were wet and boggy underfoot and this limited our access to some areas, however it also meant a delightful creek babbled its way across the granite shale and provided us with a perfect environment to test retrieving dog.
Run 1 was a walk–up mark with a double fall retrieve with both items of game falling across the creek. As handlers with dog at heel walked along the creek bank a mark was cast from left to right to the front and left of them. The bird fell into knee high native grass approx 75 metres from the dog. The dog was released and as it cleared the far creek bank a duck call was heard and the double fall was cast to land on the far bank some 110 mtrs to the right. Order of pick up was the mark then the double fall bird. Most of the 42 entrants had to handle their dog on one or other of the birds but an outstanding run was seen from Heather Ellis of WA who’s Golden Retriever bitch Rt Ch Ellishea Katos Czarda top scored with 62 pts for an almost faultless retrieve.
Run 3 was again on the creek but downstream from the first run and consisted of a blind retrieve (rabbit) and double mark. The two sighted birds fell in line, handlers were required to blind their dogs in a hide whilst they shot at the rabbit which was positioned on a mound at around 70mtrs. The firing point was amongst rocks on the edge of the creek which meandered around the mound providing pools of water, some swimming, on the line for the blind.
The dogs were then called to heel to see the two cast birds. The first was cast left to right over the creek to land about 50mts away in native grass near a thorn bush, the second bird was cast right to left at about 120mtrs and landed on the edge of the creek. Dogs had to retrieve the rabbit blind first then the two marks in any order. Top score here went to Jack Lynch from NSW and his Lab bitch Nat & Grd Rt Ch Coalsgarth Tassie Fern with 58pts for a well controlled effort.
Run 5 Sundays action was at Ballendean Estate Winery and I set my run on one of the three dams available. It consisted of a walk-up mark cast right to left in front of the dog at about 100mtrs, the bird landed in cover below the edge of the dam. The dog was left at this position whilst the handler proceeded to go out of view around the pump house about 15mtrs away in order to fire at a blind placed diagonally across the water 65 mtrs away. This action caused a fair amount of unsteadiness with the competing dogs with several moving before being called. As dogs joined their handlers a short mark passed from left to right and splashed in the edge of the dam about 30mtrs away. The pick- up order was blind, long mark then short mark .Four of the 19 dogs that completed the first days trialling unfortunately were eliminated here with handlers struggling to get their dogs attention away from the short “teaser” mark. My top scoring dog here was Nat & Grd Rt Ch Kadnook Pride ov Cork CM, handled by Gareth Tawton of Victoria with a score of 58 pts

This completed my assignment and I was delighted by the overall standard of the dog work I had seen over the two days from some of the finest Retrieving dogs in the country.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dogs Queensland for the appointment and the chance to judge such a top class field of dogs and handlers. May I also thank my hardworking stewards Jarrod Mitchell, Lisa-Marie and George Price and in particular Elio Colisamone for their tireless efforts in making the event run so smoothly .
Allan Bartram

RESULTS:
1st: Nat & Gr RTCH. KADNOOK PRIDE OV CORK CM (Gareth Tawton) 305 points
2nd: Nat & Gr RTCH. COALSGARTH TASSIE FERN (Jack Lynch) 303
3rd: LOWTHER HIGHLAND MOLLY RRD (Di Lynch) 299
4th: RTCH. ELLISHEA KATOS CZARDA (Heather Ellis) 295
5th: KADNOOK DREAM ALIL DREAM RRD (John Stott) 294

6th: RTCH. LINDENLAKE BLACK JAZZ (Joe Vella) 293
7th: RTCH. WARWIBA BRAVE HEART (Wayne Outtrim) 286
8th: ADDERSLOT STAR SPANGLED YANK RRD (Julie Crammond/G. Tawton) 284
9th: RTCH LYDSTEP TANNER UD (L. Draper) 271
10th: RTCH. TOCKATUNGA SLICK WILLIE (Russell Whitechurch) 263
11th: RTCH. FEATHERHUNT JOSHUA (Judy Pannett) 256
12th: RTCH. KADNOOK SPORTING CHANCE (John Lawton) 256
13th: RTCH. TOCKATUNGA DOWN UNDER (Kevin Andrews) 254
14th: Gr RTCH. KADNOOK TANKS AHEAP (Robert Tawton) 236

SPECIAL AWARDS
Highest Scoring Queensland Handler: LAURELLE DRAPER
Highest Scoring Labrador Retriever: Nat & Gr RTCH. KADNOOK PRIDE OV CORK CM
Highest Scoring Non Retrieving Champion: LOWTHER HIGHLAND MOLLY RRD
Highest Scoring Utility Gundog: RTCH. WARWIBA BRAVE HEART
Highest Scoring Minor Breed: RTCH. ELLISHEA KATOS CZARDA
Highest Scoring Lady Handler: DI LYNCH
Highest Scoring Wide Bay Working Gundog Club Member – Helen Cattermole
Avokah Trophy – DOM COLASIMONE
Judge’s Award from Amand Golle – ADDERSLOT STAR SPANGLED YANK RRD
Judge’s Award from Allan Bartram – DARYL O’MAHONEY

by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 2:51 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 3:00 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 5:55 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 6:00 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 6:03 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Mon 20 Sep 2010 6:08 pm

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by **Georgina Golle** » Tue 21 Sep 2010 8:06 pm

41st NATIONAL RETRIEVING CHAMPIONSHIP
Hosted by Dogs Queensland
Major Sponsor – P & G Pet Care (Australia) Pty Ltd

Judges: Mrs. Georgina Golle (Qld) & Mr.Elio Colasimone (Qld)
Trial Managers: Mr. Amand Golle & Mr. Allan Bartram
Chief Steward: Mr. Joe Barber Trial Secretary: Mrs. Anne Latimer

Overview written by Georgina Golle – Chairperson Qld RAFT Subcommittee

The Southern Downs in the heart of the granite belt is a world renown wine producing area with tourist activities and National Parks, but importantly, this year became the centre stage of two very important events on “Dogs Queensland’s” calendar, “The Eukanuba” 2010 Queensland Retrieving Championship and the highlight of the National Retrieving calendar the 41st National Retrieving Championship.

These two events were conducted by the Retrieving & Field Trial Subcommittee on behalf of “Dogs Queensland”, on a very famous property – Ballandean Station, near a pristine picturesque village of Ballandean – this property is managed by David and Laurel Blackwood.
Once again, Amand Golle on behalf of the Qld RAFT committee was able to negotiate a new site, which has not been used for retrieving competition, giving every competitor equality on new grounds and no home advantage.
This venue was chosen for the excellent variety of terrain needed to test retrievers at the highest level, close to Qld’s southern border, allowing those from the southern States to have a comfortable trip to Queensland and most importantly the expected weather to be cool for the testing of dogs. Facilities for accommodation and official functions were centrally situated, in and near this village, where competitors and villagers were able to intermingle and discuss subjects of interest.

The weather was certainly varied, cool, windy, wet, sunny and everything in between but not too uncomfortable for all concerned and with the co operation of the Property Managers was used to its full potential, despite very high rainfalls in the area during August.

Both Championships were supported by Major Sponsors, Corporate Businesses, Clubs, Individuals and many volunteers, and competitors from all corners of our great Country.
Dogs entered from – Queensland 14, Victoria 15, New South Wales 10, Western Australia 5, Australian Capital Territory 2, and the variety of breeds were –
32 Labrador Retrievers, 5 German Shorthaired Pointers, 3 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, 2 Flat Coated Retrievers, 2 Golden Retrievers, 1 Weimaraner and 1 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Fourteen dogs successfully completed the Qld Retrieving Championship and 9 dogs successfully completed the 41st National Retrieving Championship.

The Qld RAFT committee orchestrated two very interesting events, the first being the “State of Origin Shoot-Out” conducted at Ballandean Clay Target Club where those involved in the Championships could test their skills on clay targets in elimination rounds and the best shooters at State Level. Victoria was triumphant in winning the inaugural Trophy which was very kindly sponsored by Ballandean Estate Wines and the consensus of opinion is that this beautiful trophy will be competed for in NSW at the next National Championship in 2011. The day was completed with a great “Game Keepers Dinner” held at Ballandean Estate Wines where like-minded people gathered to enjoy one another’s companionship and cheer on the winners of each group and the final result of the “Shoot Out”. Highland Sports Pty Ltd very kindly donated prizes for “Gents High Gun” and “Ladies High Gun” Awards.

But most importantly the next function set the scene for the commencement of the 41st National Retrieving Championship, the OPENING CEREMONY and TOASTING TO THE NATIONAL.
Mr. Lawrence Springborg MP, Member for the Southern Downs and Deputy Leader of the Qld Opposition officially opened the National. A long standing member of our sport, Peter Sharp, as a senior leader with the Scouts movement, raised the Australian Flag, the Australian Anthem was played and Mr Springborg addressed those present, welcomed everyone to his electorate and wished the competitors with their dogs the very best of luck, declaring the 41st National Retrieving Championship open. The traditional TOAST to the National was then taken and the 45 competitors with the entourage of supporters and workers, in convey, proceeded to the trial site to commence the 41st National Retrieving Championship.

Georgina Golle Runs 2, 4, 6 and 8
It was an honour and privilege to judge quite a number of the best retrieving dogs in the Country with my Co Judge – Elio Colasimone and this event was conducted on a magnificent property, Ballandean Station, with great support from the RAFT subcommittee and my personal team of stewards, Amand Golle, Joe Barber, Di Rapson, Emma Simon, Peter Sharp, Ron Jackson and Daryl O’Mahoney. Everyone of these good people contributed to the smooth running of this National, thank you one and all.
Congratulations to all competitors for their good sportsmanship and to all those who came along to view the work of these great dogs, thank you for your support.
Special Thank You to all those behind the scenes, Angelo & Mary Puglisi and family, from Ballandean Estate Wines, Ballandean State School, Ballandean Community Hall Committee, George Costanzo and the Ballandean Clay Target Club and the community as a whole for making us welcome.
I will be able to reflect favourably on the standard of work at National level, for many years to come.

Elio Colasimone Runs 1, 3, 5 and 7
Ballandean Station at Ballandean near Stanthorpe was the superb setting for the 41st National Retrieving Championship.
With meticulous preparation over the course of many months the management team via the RAFT ensured that all was in place for such a prestigious event.
Managers, stewards, caterers, sponsors and supporters provided the framework for what turned out to be a great success.
As far as terrain was concerned - the ingredients were there to offer a range of tests in country admirably suited to challenge dogs and handlers. A blend of hills, valleys, grasslands, gullies, creek lines and waterways set the scenario.
Most of Australia’s elite, best credentialed and astute handlers with their well prepared talented dogs arrived to showcase their retrievers’ high order skills.
Clearly all these competitors should be congratulated for their hard work and commitment to the sport of Retriever Trialling.
In evidence over the course of the three days was the high level of marking, memory of marks, lining for blinds, sharp handling and the understanding by competing dogs of the concepts such as the “double fall”, “double rise” and “two bird”.
At times they were tested for steadiness with rabbit drags nearby or their ability to handle drags laid by wounded game.
Eight runs over 3 days can wear out even the best and it was unfortunate that a couple of the leading candidates dropped out at the last hurdle.
All in all the quality of work by the finalists reflected the fact that the work was of a National Standard.

RUN 1: Elio Colasimone
Single mark –combined with a double rise.
Format: From top of slope – stationary mark – Left to Right into valley flats(130m)Followed by a walk up double rise on ridge top – Right to Left (110m)
Order of pick up:-Slight relocation before the release for the Double Rise as the ‘go to’ bird.
Followed by the bird on the flat.

TEST: Marking, memory and double rise concept.
Highest Scoring Dog: No: 6 - R.T. CH. Lydstep Tanner UD – L. Draper(Qld) 60pts

RUN 2: Georgina Golle
Triple Mark
First mark a walk-up being cast towards the handler, landing in open ground at 65m from where the bird was shot, in an area screening the retrieve from the handler with spindly bushes, the handler reloads then relocates 10m to a second firing point. A bird is then cast from left to right onto flat ground with a light covering of grass at a distance of 130m and the dog needing to negotiate a slope to get to the fall of bird. The final bird is cast in an area between the walk-up and long mark, from left to right, landing down a slope in cover 70m from the firing point. The pick-up is the last bird cast, the long bird and finally the walk-up, the distance for this bird with the relocation is 55m.
I was looking for the dogs to demonstrate their ability to mark and memorize the area of fall for the 3 birds. Three dogs failed this run.
Highest Scoring Dog: No 2 – Nat 04 & 07 Gr. RTCH. ADDERSLOT CRACKERS TRIGA CM –
(R. Whitechurch Vic) 63 pts.

RUN 3: Elio Colasimone
Blind combined with a single mark and double fall.
Format: Diversionary rabbit drag near handlers followed by shot at unrelated rabbit blind across gully.
Report of shot triggered a flighted bird left to right (95m). The pick up of this bird would activate the double fall (100m)
Order of pick up:
Rabbit blind(95m), single mark, double fall mark
TEST: Steadiness, Lining, Control/Handling, Marking, Memory, Double Fall Concept.
Highest Scoring Dog: No: 40 Nat. & Gr. RT CH. Kadnook Pride Ov Cork CM G. & S. Tawton Vic 59pts.

RUN 4: Georgina Golle
Mark with Two-Bird and a Diversionary Rabbit
The handler with dog leaves the control pegs walking towards a firing point looking down a creek bed with waterholes, reeds and banks either side, 10m from the control point the handler hears a shot and stops to acknowledge a shooter on the left, seemingly shooting the rabbit which is the diversionary game. The handler reloads and continues to the firing point, as soon as the handler reaches this point a bird is cast from right to left across the creek, with the bird landing on a plateau 90m from the firing point. The diversionary rabbit is placed on open ground 20m from the firing point on the left hand side of the creek. The dog is sent for the mark and the moment the bird is picked up by the dog a “two-bird” is cast towards the handler on the opposite bank, landing in cover some 60m from the handler.
The test was for directness to the mark facing the terrain, memory and ability to locate the “two-bird” in cover out of sight of the handler.
One dog failed this test.
Highest Scoring Dog: No. 23 RTCH. TOCKATUNGA SLICK WILLIE (R. Whitechurch Vic) 64 pts.

RUN 5: Elio Colasimone
Single mark with a two bird attached split by a blind.
Format: Handlers fired at a single mark(110m) as the ‘go to’ bird across a gully onto a flat ridge – Left to Right.
On pick up the two bird (100m) was activated on the opposite flat. On approaching the handler a shot was fired at the blind (140m) placed in the dip between the two marked falls.
Order of pick up:
‘Go to’ single mark, blind, two bird.
TEST: Marking, Lining, Control/Handling, Memory
Highest Scoring Dogs: R.T.CH. Lowther Highland Tsu J.Lynch NSW 58pts.
R.T.CH. Kadnook Blkn Blu RRD G. & S. Tawton Vic. 58 pts

RUN 6: Georgina Golle
Double Blind and a Mark
The handler with dog leaves the control point and walks forward 5m, stops and sends the dog down into the creek bed and commands the dog to stay, this then becomes a hide for the dog away from the handler. The handler proceeds to the firing point and fires at two blinds, calls the dog to hand and fires at a short mark, coming out from behind willow trees and landing at a distance of 60m.
The first blind to be retrieved is a rabbit, across the creek past the willow trees at a distance of 140m. The terrain is bare with a wash out basin, which needs to be negotiated for directness to the blind. The rabbit is placed near tussocks on the edge of a swampy area.
The second blind, a bird, is down the creek heavily covered with reeds which has suffered the aftermath of frosts, banks on either side and the bird placed in the reedy cover at 100m.
Final retrieve is the memory mark, which needs to be located and retrieved out of sight of the handler.
Handling was a priority with the blind retrieves and marking and memory on the cast bird.
4 dogs failed this test.
Highest Scoring Dog: No. 20 Nat & Gr. RTCH COALSGARTH TASSIE FERN (J. Lynch NSW) 59 pts.

Run 7: Elio Colasimone
Double blind, (with diversionary cast mark) and single memory mark.
Format:
Dogs were placed in a blind hide . Handler fired at two blinds placed parallel to creek 85m 110m.
Dogs were called up to fire at diversionary single mark on grassy slope parallel to blinds.
Handler relocated to creek edge to fire at single mark cast left to right on opposite flat across creek 90m.
Order of pick up: long blind, short blind, single mark across creek.
TEST: Steadiness in blind, lining, control/handling, memory, sagacity, drive.
Highest Scoring Dog: No: 40 Nat. & Gr. RT CH. Kadnook Pride Ov Cork CM G. & S. Tawton Vic 59pts.

Run 8: Georgina Golle
Double Mark and Wounded Rabbit
The handler and dog proceed towards a firing point, turn back and fire at a short mark at 40m, reload and proceeded to a second firing point and fire at a “rabbit”, which on the report of the shot jumps forward over a log and continues on its way to an area 20m away, where it comes to rest near a log in light grassy cover. The handler then proceeds to a third firing point on the edge of the creek which is lined on the left with heavy frost affected reeds, firing at a mark cast towards the handler from left to right falling into running water at a distance of 120m.
The pick-up, last bird cast, then the wounded rabbit retrieve and finally the first bird shot which is now out of sight of the handler and at a distance of 65m. The handlers were given the option of going back to the first firing point if they chose to assist the dog to complete the last retrieve.
The expectancy of the dogs to negotiate the terrain was paramount, and to pick up all the retrieves in the nominated order, to complete this run.
Seven dogs failed this test. The difficulty of this run became apparent when dogs negotiating the terrain failed to immediately enter the water, smelt the scent trail of the rabbit and lost concentration in regard to the retrieve in the water.
Highest Scoring Dog: No. 20 Nat & Gr RTCH. COALSGARTH TASSIE FERN (J. Lynch NSW) 60 pts.

Congratulations to the sixteen dogs that negotiated their way to the last run.
Ultimately 9 dogs finished the 41st National Retrieving Championship.
Special congratulations go to those who finished – a remarkable feat in its own right.